Drug addicts want county’s assistance

Drug addicts in Kwale County on Tuesday called on the County Government and other stakeholders to provide them with methadone in order to help them overcome heroin and other narcotics abuse.

The addicts, who currently rely on Teens Watch Centre for clean syringe and needles to help in harm reduction and curb diseases contraction, say that the distribution of syringes is increasing the number of those indulging in drugs.

Carrying placards reading: ‘We want methadone in Kwale County’, the addicts pledged to stop drug and substance abuse once the county government provides them with methadone to stop the addiction.

One of the addicts, Abdul Mohamed, said that he faced rejection by the community owing to the use of drugs.

“It is unfortunate that many of us (addicts) have been burnt and lynched by the community because we are addicted to heroin which is illegal, but we are asking the government to distribute methadone which helps to stop the addiction,” said Mohamed.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, the addicts want the county government to fulfill the promise to provide methadone.